Judge rules convicted rapist Level 3 sex offender

By Charles Sweeney

Saturday, January 19, 2013

TROY -- For the second time in four weeks, a man convicted of raping a minor in a city apartment in 2008 failed to show up for a sex offender hearing in Rensselaer County Court. However, this time, his absence didn't stop a judge from issuing a ruling.

Jahlaune D. Mitchell, 35, who is about to be released after serving a four-year sentence for raping a 14-year-old in 2008 was ruled a level 3 sex offender by Judge Andrew Ceresia Friday morning.

Citing his two previous felony convictions and his poor institutional record, Ceresia handed down his ruling without Mitchell being present.

Mitchell will have to register his status upon his release or face possible incarceration again.

Mitchell's prison record begins with a 1995 conviction for rape, for which he served five years. Beginning in 2002, Mitchell did six more years for drug possession.

Less than a year after his release, Mitchell again committed rape, receiving a six-year sentence for which he is about to be released.

Ceresia also ruled Mitchell a predicate offender, a status that calls for "enhanced" sentencing for another felony conviction.